Monday, August 25, 2008

Starting Eleven Football Blog Roundup

Like my space on the Internet, the Starting Eleven Football Blog Roundup is back--and so is Jose Mourinho and Andriy Shevchenko. Sheva apparently has decided to shadow Mourinho for the rest of their respective footballing lives. If this is Milan, then it must be the Sheva Show guest-starring Jose. Both lead off this week's roundup:

The Chelsea Blog points out that Sheva may have been doomed from the start at Stamford Bridge. His 30M pound pricetag is a tough one to live up to, made even more difficult by the apparent fact that Mourinho never really wanted the guy.

Some, such as TeamTalk, contend that Sheva is back where he belongs, where it all started for him, where it all went right for him. Milan greeted Sheva with open arms, Kaka especially warmly anticipating his return. Maybe the change of scenery is for the best.

Klaw24, meanwhile, closes out the Sheva talk points out that despite the record transfer and the general disaster that Sheva's time in London was, he never complained and never disrupted the success the team enjoyed.

As for Mourinho, he has already collected his first trophy at Inter Milan, winning the Italian Super Cup in penalties, 6-5, over Roma. 101GreatGoals has all the highlights.

BleacherReport has noticed some lasting Premier League love from Mourinho, and wonders why.

Mourinho, upon winning the Super Cup this weekend, tipped his cap to his predecessor Roberto Mancini. It's true Jose, you won this one because Mancini got you in the game. Read about it at live-score.

To come full circle on Sheva, Mourinho wished him well on his way out the door. Setanta has the gushy details.

Mourinho may want Porto's Ricardo Quaresma, but the Italian press reports Mourinho may have to fend off old rival Liverpool for his services. Liverpool FC Weblog reports that Rafa Benitez has all but conceded Gareth Barry isn't coming to pair up with Steven Gerrard in the Reds midfield, and hopes to lock up Quaresma by Aug. 31.

Anfield Online, meanwhile, carries stern words from Jamie Carragher that Liverpool could get bounced from the Champions League Wednesday by Standard Liege if the ship isn't righted. The group stage drawing for the Champions League is Thursday.

The Offside looks at Real Madrid's Super Cup win over Valencia. Madrid came from two goals down on aggregate and two players down to win, and did so without Robinho, they report. "Pffft, who needs him?" Classic.

MLS Rumors remains a must-stop. Check out the latest on Sasha Kljestan, Marvell Winn, Jorge Rojas and more.The 3rd Half has a great recap of the weekend in England.